Laxmi Chandrasheka
Laxmi Chandrashekar has received her higher education in Mysore and has post graduate degrees in English from the universities of Mysore and Leeds (U K ) She has been in theatre for nearly six decades As a member of the Kannada theatre group Samudaya, which believes in using theatre as an instrument of social change, Laxmi has acted major roles in many productions and street plays She has the unique distinction of presenting over 500 shows of solo plays which she has scripted, translated and performs in Kannada and English Abhinetri, a unique 3 day solo festival conducted in January 2024, had Laxmi perform Kannada and English versions of one play on each day A new record indeed Her solo performances have been presented at numerous National and International Theatre Festivals, universities and conferences on women’s issues within the country and abroad She is also the Founder and Managing Trustee of Kriyative Theatre, a popular theatre group known for its artistic excellence and professionalism
Not confining herself to theatre, Laxmi has played major roles in a number of popular television serials and award-winning films as well An acclaimed translator, Laxmi has translated a number of short stories, poems, novels and plays from Kannada into English After working as a lecturer in English at N M K R V College for Women in Bangalore for 28 years, she took voluntary retirement to devote all her time to theatre and television A popular teacher, she has contributed much to the revolutionizing of the teaching of English at Pre-university and Under-graduate studies
Theatre Activities (1967–2020):
Over the span of five decades, actively participated in numerous theatre workshops and nearly 50 productions in various capacities, including as a resource person, performer, participant, producer, scriptwriter, and organizer Presented solo performances, delivered papers, and engaged in discussions on diverse aspects of theatre at seminars and symposia both in India and abroad Scripted, translated, and performed in over 350 solo play shows in Kannada and English In 2005, founded the Kriyative Theatre Trust and continue to produce and perform plays under its banner to date
Publications Related to Theatre:
Contributed weekly theatre reviews and articles in major national English dailies for over 20 years, starting from 1986 Wrote extensively on the theatre scene in Karnataka for various journals Authored Plays, Players and Playwrights (1999), a collection of essays on theatre published by Shashwathi, Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Trust, Bangalore, and Understanding Galileo (1978), a student handbook on Bertolt Brecht’s Life of Galileo, published by Eastern Press, Bangalore
Translations (Kannada to English):
Translated several major literary works, including:
Shikharasoorya by Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara (2017, Sahitya Akademi & Shabdana – Centre for Translation)
Contributed to Vachana edited by M M Kalburgi (2012, Basava Samithi) and The Sign – Vachanas of 12th Century edited by O L Nagabhushana Swamy (2007, Kannada University, Hampi)
Singarevva and the Palace (2000, Katha, New Delhi)
Listen Janamejaya by Sriranga (2000, in Modern Indian Drama edited by G P Deshpande)
Mahamaayi by Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara (2000)
Madhavi and Madari Madiah by Dr H S Shivaprakash
Shakespeare Dreamship by Dr H S Shivaprakash (Theatre India, NSD)
Nanna Gopala by Kuvempu
Contributed translations of Sarvajna’s vachanas and Kanakadasa’s songs for selected works published by Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi, as well as short stories and poems by various writers for literary journals and collections Also translated several performance scripts from Kannada to English (unpublished), including Just a Woman, Singarevva and the Palace, Kaveri of Kittalevilla, and All is Well…
Awards for Translation:
Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Translation Prize (2017) for the translation of Shikharasoorya
Commendation Award in the Katha Translation Contest (1993)
Awards for Contribution to Theatre and Television:
Shivakumara Prashasthi (2016)
Suchetana Suvarna Sambharama Prashasthi (2016)
Karnataka Nataka Academy Gaurava Prashasthi (2014)
Aryabhatta Best Actress Award for the T V serial Grihabhanga (2002)
Attimabbe Award for Contribution to Culture (2002)
Samsa Award for Contribution to Theatre (1998)
Indira Priyadarshini Award for Best Supporting Artiste in Television (1996)
